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Pulled Pork
Author: BobR    Date: 11/12/2010 12:55:59

There's been a lot of discussion lately over earmarks, and how they "pork up" the budget. The term itself is likely a reference to a pig's ear, since it originated in the notching of livestocks' ears for identification purposes. Although the practice is an easy target for those claiming to clean up government waste, the reality is that it is a tiny part of the money spent by government, and eliminating them will not affect the budget at all.

Why is that? Of all people, Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) explains it to his colleagues:
"The earmark issue is about discretion, about an argument between the executive branch and the legislative branch over how funds should be spent," he said.

"There are many members of my conference who have said, 'I don't want the president to make all the decisions about how the funds are spent that might be allocated in my state,'" McConnell added.
[...]
McConnell said Congress should instead focus on reducing spending and reducing the federal debt.

"This debate doesn’t save any money, which is why it's kind of exasperating to some of us who really want to cut spending and get the federal government's discretionary accounts under control," he said in reference to the skirmish over earmarks within the Senate GOP conference.

He's right of course. Earmarks are essentially the directing of funds already allocated in the budget to specific projects. If the earmarked money isn't spent on the earmark, it will be spent on something else, because it's already in the budget. The earmark gives a congressperson more control over how that already allocated money is spent. It actually gives power back to the states via the Congressperson that the state voted to represent them.

Of course, that hasn't stopped politicians like Jim DeMint (R-SC) from grandstanding on the issue and trying to ban them. It may resonate well with voters who are under the mistaken impression that it will save money and reign in government spending, but it is actually self-defeating for the Congress.

Sen. McConnell isn't the only one trying to keep the earmarks in play. Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK) is fighting to keep them in play as well. Rand Paul (Sen-elect from KY) famously campaigned against earmarks, earning praise and support from Tea Partiers. However, he apparently got the memo describing what they really are, and is now changing his tune. Usually a politician waits until they get into office before they flip-flop on a campaign promise...

Although the earmarks are actually good for the states, they are also good for another DC contingent - the lobbyists. They apparently are none too happy about seeing their cash cow turn dry:
Lobbyists who have built their careers around securing congressional money for clients are facing the biggest squeeze yet on their business as earmarks begin to disappear from Washington.

Since capturing the House in the midterm elections last week, Republican leaders have affirmed their support for a plan that would outlaw earmarks in the lower chamber during the next Congress.

Lobbyists on K Street contacted by The Hill expect the ban will apply to Democrats in the minority as well, essentially taking billions of dollars out of the hands of House lawmakers.

That hasn't stopped them from trying to hook up with the Republicans:
The latest wave election, which swept Republicans to power in the House, underlines the importance of bi-partisan lobbying firms.

Rich Gold, a Democrat who heads Holland & Knight’s public policy group, said businesses will want lobby firms that can work with both parties, given the tumultuous elections of 2008 and 2010.

“How quickly the bodies swing back and forth means clients want to mitigate that and have some bipartisan coverage,” Gold said.

Republican lobbyists are in high demand after the party’s huge gains in the House.

The Republican lobbyists who may have been licking their wounds the last two elections are once again feeling the love.

Ultimately, the resolution to ban earmarks will get a hearing, it will not pass, and then those that voted for it will point fingers at the opposition and claim at least a moral victory. Then everyone will heave a sigh of relief and get back to the business of sending those pig's ears back to their home states.

 

46 comments (Latest Comment: 11/12/2010 20:33:44 by TriSec)
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